Now that the school year is in full swing, weekends and short breaks are the perfect time to sneak in a little family adventure — and Wichita delivers. As Kansas’ largest city, Wichita offers big-city attractions with a friendly, small-town feel, making it an ideal spot for a quick getaway or a memorable fall break. With more than 50 museums and attractions, you can mix hands-on learning with just-for-fun activities, enjoy the outdoors in crisp autumn air or explore unique indoor experiences.

Whether you’ve got a full weekend or just a couple of days, Wichita makes it easy to pack in plenty of fun without the stress of a long trip. Start planning your fall visit with this guide.

Botanic Wichita

Popular Attractions

• Exploration Place – Science center with hands-on activities plus traveling exhibits like Barbie You Can Be Anything and Ice Dinosaurs
• Kansas Aviation Museum – Explore Wichita’s aviation history, marvel at aircraft and take in 360° views from the historic tower.
• Museum of World Treasures – Dive into three floors of history, from ancient fossils to modern times.
• Art & Creativity – Terrarium-making at GROW Plant Shop, classes at Paint the Towne or hands-on art at CityArts, Mark Arts, Ulrich Museum of Art and the renovated kids’ space at Wichita Art Museum
• SCHEELS – Sporting goods store with an aquarium, candy shop and more
• Glass Art – Watch handblown pieces come to life at Infinity Art Glass and Karg Art Glass.
• The Enchanted Mermaid – Whimsical mermaid-themed décor and delightful treats alongside mermaid and aerial performances

Museum of World Treasures

Active Adventures (Indoor)

• Blast Off Bay – Indoor waterpark with slides, surf machine, kids’ play area and swim-up bar
• Wichita Ice Center – Ice skating fun for all ages
• Aviate – 32,000 square foot extreme air trampoline park inside Wichita Sports Forum
• Axe Throwing or Arcades & Games – Axe to Grind, Dave & Buster’s, The Arcade, Pink Elephant Games & Café
• Bliss Climbing & Fitness – Indoor rock climbing and bouldering

Bliss Climbing and Fitness

Outdoor Activities & Attractions

• Sedgwick County Zoo – Home to 3,000 animals and nearly 400 species. Additionally, it is the only zoo in the country where you can see three African elephant calves that were born earlier this year.
• Tanganyika Wildlife Park – Spend all day making memories with animal meet & greets, feedings and encounters with sloths, penguins and more.
• Botanica Wichita – Gardens, carousel rides – and don’t miss out on rolling down Troll Hill!
• Keeper of the Plains – Wichita’s most iconic landmark, complete with nightly firepots.
• Starlite Drive-In – Classic outdoor movie experience
• Field Station: Dinosaurs – Walk among life-size dinos and play Jurassic mini-golf.

Baby Elephants at Sedgwick County Zoo!

Active Outdoor Fun

• Chicken N Pickle – Pickleball, shuffleboard, bocce, and yard games
• Topgolf Wichita – Swing at targets from climate-controlled bays.
• Bike Share ICT and Boats & Bikes – Rent a bike, kayak, or pedal boat and enjoy water activities and trails in downtown Wichita.
• Great Plains Nature Center and Veterans Memorial Park – Scenic spots for walking and exploring
• Public Art – See large-scale murals and community-driven installations that celebrate the city’s history, culture, and creative spirit.

Chicken N' Pickle in Wichita

Fall Festivals

Save the dates for these annual Wichita fall festivals. 

• Orie’s Garlic Fest – Herb lovers unite for this unique celebration of all things garlic.
• Autumn & Art at Bradley Fair – Juried fine art show with family-friendly activities
   

Autumn & Art

• Wagonmaster's Downtown Chili Cookoff – chefs and home cooks compete to serve up the city’s best chili, accompanied by live music and local brews
• Wichita Asian Festival – a celebration of Asian culture, featuring authentic cuisine, traditional performances, arts and crafts, and family-friendly activities
• Great Plains Renaissance & Scottish Festival – Step back in time with jousting, music, and medieval fun.
• Prost’s Oktoberfest – Imported German beers on tap, polka music, a special festival food menu, stein hoisting contest, and more at German restaurant, Prost

Great Plains Renaissance & Scottish Festival 

Food, Shopping & More

With more than 1,200 restaurants, Wichita is a foodie’s paradise. Don’t miss the city’s family-friendly eats, ethnic restaurants, farmers markets, and iconic eateries like NuWay and Old Mill Tasty Shop – restaurants that have been serving up classics since the 1930s.

Whether you are road-tripping or flying in, Wichita is centrally located in the Heart of the Country, easy to reach, and much more affordable than bigger tourist cities. You’ll get big-city experiences without big-city prices. The city is rich with culture, packed with personality, and full of people who are proud of where they live – and ready to share it with you. Explore more things to do with kids in Wichita and download the visitor guide for additional inspiration.

 Keeper of the Plains Bike Route

Visit Wichita